US suspends all routine visa services due to virus

The United States said Friday it was suspending all routine visa services around the world due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

US embassies and consulates will still consider emergency visas if they have adequate staff, the State Department said.

"In response to significant worldwide challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of State is temporarily suspending routine visa services at all US embassies and consulates," a travel advisory said.

The State Department had already said it was suspending visa issuance at most posts overseas. But Friday's order was global and, while temporary, there was no date set for services to resume.

The suspension will not in itself affect travelers, largely from Western and wealthy Asian nations, who can come to the United States without visas.

However, the United States has temporarily halted arrivals of most Europeans in a move to halt the spread of the pandemic.

US embassies will still be open and available to assist US citizens, the State Department said.

The State Department has nonetheless urged all Americans overseas to come home if commercial flights are available due to limited assistance available and travel bottlenecks created by the pandemic.